Chance to have your say on Port's role

LOCAL people, business owners and community groups are invited to have their say on the Port of Milford Haven by taking part in a new survey.

The aim of the survey is to find out how often people use the waterway, what for, and how it could be improved. It’s also a chance for people to have their say on how the Port of Milford Haven is run, and whether it gives a good return for Pembrokeshire.

The Port is looking for anyone who lives near, works in or uses the waterway for business or leisure to get in touch.

An independent group - the Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum - is conducting the survey and the findings will be used by Port bosses as they plan its future.

Mark Andrews, corporate affairs director at the Port, said the survey would help gain “vital feedback” about how much local people know about the Port and what it does.

“The Milford Haven Waterway is supporting around 5,000 jobs in Wales; 4,000 of those jobs are highly-skilled, well-paid jobs within Pembrokeshire, which amounts to 40 per cent of total employment around the Port.”

The Port is a Trust Port, which means it has no shareholders and all profits are re-invested back into the business.

Mr Andrews added that, given changes in the demand for energy, the Port is keen to diversify to attract new investment to Pembrokeshire – and with it, more jobs.

After a similar survey in 2009 revealed there was room to improve support for the local fishing fleet at Milford Dock, the Port has developed ideas to improve dockside facilities, in turn adding value to fish products landed locally.

The data also informed the Port’s strategy to focus on tourism, growing the fishery industry, encouraging more cruise ships and the provision of boat trips.

Of those surveyed in 2009, 91 per cent of people also indicated that they considered tourism as important for the economic wellbeing of waterway communities and nearly half of those felt that the Port had a role to play in promoting tourism.

To take part, visit surveymonkey.com/s/Perceptionsurvey2014. For a hard copy, contact Anna Malloy on 01646 696156.

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